The 2002
LeRoy Oatkan Knights look forward to this year's season with high
hopes after returning some key personnel from last season's Section
5 Class C championship squad. Coupled with some very good talent up
from an undefeated JV team, the Knights hope to become the fourth
school in Section 5 football history to garner double-digits in sectional
football crowns. Only the vaunted programs from Clyde-Savannah (13),
Cal-Mum (12) and Fairport (11) have more Section 5 football titles.
To join that illustrious trio would be quite an honor. A 10th title
will not come easy this season. The Knights are a marked team on everyone's
schedule. But believe this, Coach Moran will have this team prepared
to put on quite an offensive and defensive show.

The quest
for a 10th title begins on Friday, September 6th, away against the
Avon Braves. Coach Andy Englert's surprise squad of 2001 will not
surprise anyone this season. There will be no surprises because the
Braves should have another excellent season. The team gained a lot
of confidence with their successful 2001 campaign and were much more
than a one-man show (referring to departed 2001 Class C Offensive
MVP Germaine Dixon). The Braves return some very talented backs to
run behind a strong and impressive line. Their defense can lay a lick
on you as well as any team in Section 5. The rematch of last year's
Class C championship final will commence with a 7:30 pm kickoff at
Avon.

LeRoy
2002 features a strong and quick line that is anchored by right tackle
Don Miller. Miller, a senior, was an All-Greater Rochester 1st team
selection on defense as well as 1st team all-state. Warning to all
of those lining up against the 260 lb. "Moose", be prepared
for war. Donny has worked extremely hard all year long for his final
scholastic season and will be truly be a force. Next to Miller will
be senior right guard Jason Hodge. Jason, the defensive signal caller,
is a rough and tough 190 lbs. after a summer of training. His burst
off the line will have opposing linemen believing he weighs considerably
more. At center, is senior strongman Jake Syracuse. Jake packs 210
lbs. of muscle on his frame and will be more than a handful for linebackers
with his power and agility. Syracuse, like Miller, will be a force
for opposing coaches to figure out. At left guard will be junior Ian
Whitcroft, a standout on last year's JV squad. "Donkey"
is a stout 215 lbs. that can pop an opponent all night long with a
nasty attitude. The front-runner for left tackle looks to be Sean
Whiting, a senior that has trained himself to a rugged 205 lbs.. Look
for Sean to open some large holes for his cousin RB Jake. Tight end
will be shared by junior Danny Panek, a scrappy junior with excellent
hands, and junior transfer from Florida, Ian "Gator" Christiansen.
Ian's 6'3", 235 lbs. will come in quite handy for the LeRoy grind-it-out
running attack.

The backfield,
though not large, is strong, fast, and experienced. Senior Joe Shaughnessy
returns for his 3rd season as the LeRoy signal caller. Joe is one
of the few athletes in LeRoy football history to have played on the
varsity since his freshman year, and started, mind you. Shaughnessy
can do it all. Joe completed 52 passes last season (54%) for nearly
700 yards and 12 TDs. He also was the team's second leading rusher
with 513 yards while running in 9 TDs of his own. Joe also snagged
4 interceptions from his cornerback position. Look for Joe to repeat
as an all-state selection, which is a common feat for the Shaughnessy
name in LeRoy football lore. Joe will be handing off to last year's
leading rusher, senior scatback Joe Cosimeno. Joe C. rushed for 755
yards in 2001, averaging an outstanding 6.3 yards per carry. Joe is
fired up for his third varsity season and will continue to impress
fans. The third "Joe" in the LeRoy backfield will be senior
Joe Caccamise. Joe has added considerable muscle without losing any
speed, and you will see speed from Mr. Caccamise when he hits the
hole. Caccamise emerged at the end of the 2001 season, averaging an
astounding 9.0 yards per carry. If having 3 talented "Joes"
was not enough, the Knights will throw into the mix junior standout
Jake Whiting. Jake is a fine blend of size and speed and will be the
punishing inside ground gainer, as well as a threat to take it around
end. Meet this player with an arm tackle and you will be seeing the
back of his helmet as he blows by or over you.

The Knights
possess the best pair of receivers in the LCAA. Seniors Brendan Fulmer
and Sam DeFazio will be showcased when the Knights take to the air,
which may be more often than opponents think. Brendan grabbed 12 TD
passes last season and will have the opportunity to surpass those
numbers. The do-it-all Fulmer possesses uncanny speed and has added
15 lbs. of muscle to his 6'6" frame. After he scores, Brendan
kicks the PATs (38 of 40 in 2001) and then boots the ball on kickoff,
usually out of or near the end zone of the opponent. He averaged 37
yards a punt when the Knights did punt (LeRoy punted just 14 times
in 11 contests in 2001). Need a field goal? Brendan was 5 of 5 with
a 37-yarder to his credit. Brendan also snagged 5 interceptions on
defense in 2001 for good measure. Wonder why he is all-state? If you
key on Fulmer and double-team him, you will be left to contend with
senior wideout Sammy DeFazio. Sam has good speed and excellent hands.
This fearless receiver will open eyes as he has already done in the
daily practices at Hartwood Park.

The defense
is coached by Andrew Paladino, the unsung master on the LeRoy coaching
staff. Year in, year out, Andrew has devised schemes to negate the
very best offensive weapons of the Knight's opponents. The team yielded
just 63 points in 11 games last season, while scoring 443. Look for
more of the same as the Knights defense will again be strong, quick,
tenacious, and down right nasty. The defense will be aptly manned
by the likes of Miller, Hodge, Syracuse, Jake & Sean Whiting,
Joe Cosimeno, Caccamise, Fulmer, Shaughnessy, and DeFazio. Other defensive
standouts will include senior Kenny "K-Dog" Smith, who registered
70 tackles in 2001. Smith is very quick off the line, stays in constant
motion, and is fearless with whatever scheme you throw at him. Senior
Jeremy Cosimeno, an LCAA wrestling champion, will display his takedown
abilities on the gridiron from a linebacker position as will rugged
sophomore Andrew Fox. Andrew was a valuable member on last season's
9-0 JVs and will display the same textbook tackling skills his brother
Billy (2001 grad) showed last season. The team has considerable depth
on both sides of the ball. Coach Moran points to receiving considerable
playing time from Jason Spencer, Matt Bennetti, Ryan Duthe, Casey
Moran, Brandon Klinkbeil, and Tim Dieffenbacher.

Good
luck to Coach Moran who starts the season with a 100-33-2 lifetime
record at LHS. Brian is currently tied with Cal-Mum coaching legend
Mike Monacelli for most individual sectional titles with 8. Moran
will be ably aided by his trio of talented assistant coaches Jim Bonacquisti,
Andrew Paladino, and Chris Cappotelli.